Walter Payton

Walter Jerry Payton (born July 25, 1954 in Columbia, Mississippi ? died November 1, 1999 in Barrington, Illinois,) was an American football running back and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Illness

In February 1999 Payton announced that he had a rare liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis. Unable to receive a liver transplant because of bile duct cancer, Payton died in his home in South Barrington, Illinois, on November 1, 1999. After breaking Payton's career rushing record in 2002, the Dallas Cowboys' Emmitt Smith tearfully paid tribute to Walter, saying that Payton had taught him how to conduct himself on and off the field. Payton was survived by his wife Connie, son Jarrett, and daughter Brittany.

Related Topics:
February - 1999 - Primary sclerosing cholangitis - Liver transplant - Bile duct - Cancer - Dallas Cowboys' - Emmitt Smith

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~